CityTherm: Multi-Layer Selection & Data Download

Hey guys! We're super stoked to dive into a new feature enhancement for CityTherm that's going to make your neighborhood analysis a whole lot smoother. This update focuses on giving you more control over layer selection and data handling, making it easier to compare different datasets across multiple neighborhoods. Let's break down what's coming!

Enhanced Layer Selection and Display

In this section, the core improvement revolves around the ability to select and display multiple layers simultaneously. Currently, you're limited to viewing one layer at a time, which can be a bit restrictive when you want to compare different aspects of a neighborhood side-by-side. We're changing that by switching from radio buttons to checkboxes, allowing you to select up to four (and potentially six, depending on how the UX shakes out) layers at once. This means you can visualize, for example, population density, building age, energy consumption, and green space coverage all at the same time.

Imagine you're working on a project comparing the energy efficiency of different neighborhoods. Previously, you'd have to toggle between the 'Energy Consumption' layer and the 'Building Insulation' layer, trying to remember the patterns you saw. With this update, you can display both layers simultaneously, making it much easier to identify correlations and draw insights. This change not only saves time but also allows for a more nuanced understanding of the data. The display will be organized in a clear 2x2 or 2x3 grid, ensuring that the maps are easily viewable and comparable. We're also removing the individual display/hide buttons per section, as the checkboxes themselves will control layer visibility. This streamlined approach simplifies the interface and makes the whole process more intuitive. Think about the possibilities! You can now overlay various datasets to uncover hidden relationships and make data-driven decisions with greater confidence. This enhanced visualization capability is a game-changer for in-depth neighborhood analysis, allowing you to present your findings with clarity and impact. We're confident that this update will significantly improve your workflow and empower you to extract more valuable insights from CityTherm. We believe that the ability to view multiple layers concurrently is essential for a comprehensive understanding of urban environments. This feature directly addresses the need for a more holistic perspective, enabling users to analyze the interplay between different factors affecting a neighborhood's characteristics and performance.

Neighborhood Cell Selection and Data Centralization

Next up, we're introducing a powerful feature that allows you to select specific cells within neighborhoods on the map. You'll be able to choose up to six cells, which will then be highlighted and numbered directly on the map for easy identification. This is particularly useful when you want to focus on specific areas of interest within a neighborhood, such as a commercial district, a residential zone, or an industrial area. Each selected cell will be uniquely identified by a string or number (e.g., 'Zurich3.14'), making it easy to reference and discuss specific locations. This unique ID system is crucial for clear communication and collaboration, ensuring that everyone is on the same page when analyzing the data. But the real magic happens in the new data table. For each selected neighborhood cell, a centralized table will be generated, displaying key information across all selected layers. This table will be housed in its own tab within CityTherm, providing a dedicated space for in-depth data comparison. The specific data points included in the table will be determined in collaboration with ICE, ensuring that the most relevant and insightful information is readily available. Imagine you've selected six cells across different neighborhoods, each representing a different type of urban environment. The data table will then present a side-by-side comparison of these cells, showing you the values for various layers such as population density, average income, building energy consumption, and access to public transportation. This centralized view allows you to quickly identify trends, outliers, and correlations, leading to more informed conclusions and recommendations.

This feature addresses a critical need for data consolidation and comparison. By centralizing information from multiple layers and neighborhoods, we're streamlining the analysis process and empowering users to make data-driven decisions with greater ease and confidence. The ability to select specific cells and view their data in a unified table is a game-changer for urban planners, researchers, and policymakers alike. This functionality facilitates a deeper understanding of the complexities within urban environments and promotes more effective urban planning and management strategies. We are committed to providing our users with the tools they need to explore and analyze urban data in a meaningful way. This feature represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower data-driven decision-making for sustainable urban development. This centralized data table will undoubtedly become an indispensable tool for anyone working with CityTherm, offering a clear and concise overview of the selected neighborhood cells and their corresponding data values. The possibilities for in-depth analysis and informed decision-making are truly exciting.

Data Download Functionality

And last but not least, we're adding the ability to download the data table as a file! This means you can easily export the centralized information for further analysis, reporting, or presentation purposes. This download functionality is crucial for sharing your findings with colleagues, stakeholders, or clients. It also allows you to integrate the data with other tools and platforms, expanding the scope of your analysis. Think of the possibilities: you can import the data into a spreadsheet program for further calculations, create visualizations in a data analysis tool, or include the table in a report or presentation. The downloaded data will be in a standard format (e.g., CSV or Excel), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of software applications.

This feature directly addresses the need for data portability and accessibility. By allowing users to download the centralized data table, we're empowering them to take their analysis beyond the CityTherm platform. This flexibility is essential for collaborative projects, presentations to stakeholders, and integration with other data sources. We believe that open access to data is crucial for promoting transparency and informed decision-making. The download functionality is a key component of our commitment to empowering users with the tools they need to make a real impact on their communities. This added capability streamlines the workflow, ensuring that you can seamlessly transition from analysis within CityTherm to sharing and utilizing the insights in other contexts. Downloading the data table is a simple yet powerful addition that enhances the overall usability and value of CityTherm. We're confident that this feature will be widely used and appreciated by our users.

Unique Cell Identification

To reiterate, each cell you select will have a unique identifier. This is super important for clear communication. If you see something interesting in 'Zurich3.14', you can tell someone exactly where to look! This is essential for collaborative projects and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

In Summary

This update is all about giving you more power and flexibility in your neighborhood analysis. With the ability to select multiple layers, focus on specific cells, centralize data in a table, and download that data for further use, CityTherm is becoming an even more valuable tool for urban exploration. We're excited to see what you guys do with it! We believe these enhancements will significantly improve your workflow and empower you to extract more valuable insights from CityTherm. This update is a direct response to your feedback, and we're committed to continuously improving the platform to meet your needs. Stay tuned for more updates, and happy analyzing!